PPA Supports Skill Game Bill Proposed by Congressman Wexler

On June 7, 2007, the PPA, a poker advocacy group with about 550,000 members strongly supported the legislation by Congressman Robert Wexler that clears the existing laws and provides adequate protection for poker and other gambling games that are categorized as games of skill under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the Wire Act of 1961.

Senator Alfonse D'Amato, PPA Chairman of the Board said that the bill by Congressman Wexler is a good development for millions of innocent U.S. players who just want to play online poker in peace.

The bill by Congressman Wexler will give adequate protection to skill games, ensuring that they will not fall victim to bad policy. The online gambling ban that the House of Congress passed last year created a lot of problems about whether the UIGEA applies to skill games like poker, chess, bridge and mahjong.

Wexler's proposal will clear the existing law by recognizing that skill games, where players compete against one another, should be given the protection that they deserve under the law. The proposal also provides additional safeguards for customers.

The plan requires online sites to install age verification software and follow existing laws to stop money laundering.

There are no types of online gaming like horse racing, lottery and fantasy games under the current law. Senator D' Amato said that the proposal by Congressman Wexler is important to provide equal protection to legal games of skill and competition between players.

Americans have played the game seriously and responsibly throughout the years and the proposal by Congressman Wexler will make sure that poker is enjoyed in the near future.

June 26, 2007
Michael Orwell